Bear Mountain dispersed camping area provides four pet-friendly sites accessible by a narrow, rocky road with some low-hanging trees about 7500 feet in elevation near Gila, New Mexico. The free camping area allows pets without specific restrictions, offering primitive sites with no amenities such as water, toilets, or trash service. Campers report the last site where the road dead-ends offers more space and shelter, though sunlight may be limited. The area provides a quiet environment with beautiful views and cooler temperatures due to the higher elevation. The dispersed sites accommodate tents and smaller RVs, though larger vehicles may find access challenging due to the tight squeeze along Forest Road 4242D.
Silver City RV Park accepts pets at their centrally located campground with full hookups, clean showers, and laundry facilities approximately 30 miles from Gila. The park's convenient location places campers within walking distance of downtown Silver City, a grocery store, and restaurants while maintaining a quiet atmosphere where visitors report waking to birds chirping. Nearby Cherry Creek Campground also allows pets with no fee, offering approximately 10 sites with concrete picnic tables, fire rings, and vault toilets. Both locations provide good access points to explore the Gila National Forest and surrounding attractions. During summer months, campers should be aware of rapidly changing mountain weather conditions and plan accordingly, particularly when hiking with pets in the area.
"A man made lake for everyone to enjoy. You can boat, paddleboard, canoe, fish and swim here. The views are spectacular and the road in was easy for our 35 foot trailer."
$30 - $35 / night
"Everything is clean, spacious, and peaceful with gorgeous views all around. They truly go above and beyond to make you feel welcome and at home."
"It is a tight squeeze to get a truck back there, Tacoma, but we got tucked in just fine. Also there’s a woodsy sign leading into the forest! Cool to see an iconic owl!"
"This modest little park (fairly priced) is next door to a market, 4 blocks from Silver City’s wonderful old town, and 7 blocks from a great dog park."
"It’s close to downtown. There’s a grocery store within walking distance as well as a Dairy Queen and a Lottaburger. Very quiet. Hot showers. Full hookups. All for $35/night plus tax"
"Walking around will also involve walking through dirt areas to reach your destination. All in all though it’s a nice, private, roomy park that puts you right near Silver City’s local shops!"
"The woman behind the counter was so accomodating and the spot we got for 2 nights was huge and very private. The showers were large and clean as well as the rest of the park."
"Beautiful location in the tall pines. Sites were well spaced but little privacy, and close to the road which was not busy at all. Picnic table and fire ring at each site."
"There’s a short, informal trail at the north end of the campground past the bathroom. The trail goes about 0.25 miles out; so 0.5 mile round trip. A nice evening or morning stroll or both."
$7 / night
"I’ve stayed here many times over the years (last time was in 2007 however) and depending on how much water is, or recently was in the Gila River, some of the hot springs could be washed out as they get"
"Gila Hot Springs is a great place to relax and recover. Not a party spot. Well managed, and a respectable surrounding community."
"It’s also a perfect base for exploring Gila Cliff Dwellings and downtown Silver City. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a peaceful, comfortable stay in southwest New Mexico!"
"Close to town and a ton of hiking! Super clean!! Would definitely stay here again."
$25 - $35 / night
"Perfect location to leave our trailer and go out exploring!"
"Nice Park just outside/south of the Gila National forest. Perfect spot if one wants to park and then drive into the Kila forest or cliff dwellings."
"After not finding a campsite at the other near one called Cherry Creek. We ended up at McMillan campsite. Super close to the restroom but not close enough where it is unsanitary."
"Lots of trees, two outhouses, a good few tables and designated campfire circles, all around nice if but a little muddy depending on the time of year"
GuideGreat spot for some free camping on your way to/from Gila Cliff Dwellings Natl Monument if coming from I-25. BIG sites!!! Could easily turn around my pickup and teardrop. Fire pits with easy to scavenge fire wood. Multiple clean latrines. No cell signal 🙌🙌🙌. About a mile back from the pavement.
TravelerShort drive from Gila Cliff Dwellings. No running water, no cell service, no WiFi and they have vault toilets. If you need those amenities then this is not the campsite for you. There was no crowd mid week during the end of February. The day warmed up nicely and the night was cold, just bring the right gear.
TravelerI was worried that this place wasn’t open due to the fact there were only two reviews and it had been a while since a review. I can happily share that they are open and thriving. I was driving from Gila Cliff Dwellings towards White Sands NP and needed a place to camp. I passed some dispersed camping along the way, but most of the cultivated sites were closed, I’m guessing due to COVID as New Mexico has really cracked down on their camping and I ran into lots of sites that were either closed or only open to residents. Anyway, this place was a STEAL. For only $21 (the typical price of most regular vault toilet and picnic table camp sites), you get heaven on earth. You wouldn’t expect it driving in from either direction, but the sites themselves are extremely shaded and surrounded by trees and as private as possible given the close proximity to neighbors. I stayed at site #47 and even though I was right next to the pools and bathhouse, I couldn’t be seen at all from those places. There’s a potable water tap at EACH campsite, free showers, unlimited 24/7 access to hot springs (clothing required & clothing optional pools), a clubhouse to wash dishes or cook or simply hang out inside in a comfortable chair to read or play games at a table), several bathrooms, phone service (and I didn’t have any driving in or out), peacocks and other wildlife to admire, friendly staff, firewood for sale, labyrinth maze, short scenic trails to watch the sunset and rise, inside facilities, amazing cabins (cheapest one is only $60 and comes with an hour long soak in a private pool which is otherwise $28 for one hour), etc. I could go on and on about this place. The best $21 I have ever spent to spend the night anywhere in my entire life and I am always camping and traveling. A literal oasis. I soaked from 7pm-11pm and had the pools to myself several times on a Sunday evening. Everyone was respectful and there was no sense of party / loud groups as so common is seen at hot springs. Alcohol allowed.
TravelerDon't go to the Gila Lower Box looking for formal campsites and places to hook up an rv. This is primitive camping at one of New Mexico's truest oases.
Why? Because in 1990, cattle were prohibited from grazing this stretch of the Gila River.
The result? One of the lushest, most verdant riparian environments left in the desert southwest.
For those with a 4wd or very high clearance, you can camp down along the cliffs right at the edge of the river corridor. Being a birders paradise, it's a very unique experience to sit on the edge of the cliffs, 20-30 feet above the tops of the cottonwoods and watch all the bird activity below.
You can also watch bands of coatimundis grazing through the bosque. Watch out for rattlesnakes and Gila monsters during the warmer months though.
I rate this as one of New Mexico's best outdoor experiences. (A note: I camp to the west of the location shown on the map.)
TravelerThis is an awesome park. The RV sites all have full hookups and are extra long and wide. Because the rv sites are situated around the perimeter of the very large greenspace and dog park, all sites have expansive views in all directions. Beautiful sunrises and sunsets! There are tent sites in the central green area with picnic table, firepit and shade trees. There is a great hiking trail, about 1/2 mile, that makes a loop. It is comfortably wide so you and your dog can see the trail and won't accidentally run into cactus. The park is a straight-shot easy 15 minute drive into Silver City and is convenient to Gila NF trails, several Continental Divide trailheads, the Catwalk and lots of other natural areas. Rosie and Bill, the owners are a wealth of info about the local sites and trails. The campground has a bathhouse, laundry, gym, communal library with books, games and puzzles.
GuideThe Silver City KOA is a wonderful place to stay! The staff are friendly and go above and beyond to make you feel welcome. Sites are well-maintained with plenty of space, and the amenities — from spotless restrooms to a cozy camp store — make it easy to relax. It’s also a perfect base for exploring Gila Cliff Dwellings and downtown Silver City. Highly recommend for anyone looking for a peaceful, comfortable stay in southwest New Mexico!
GuideWe originally reserved one night and stayed 4. This modest little park (fairly priced) is next door to a market, 4 blocks from Silver City’s wonderful old town, and 7 blocks from a great dog park. They have a clean little laundromat, clean bathrooms, and friendly helpful staff. And a small coffee shop. We’ll be back.
GuideThe bathrooms were a little outdated but that didn’t take away from how well kept the bathrooms were. Especially when I got there after hours. The water pressure for the shower in the bathroom was decent. It was a darker lot, which I’m not mad about because I don’t like sun beaming in the camper anyways. Made a reservation with a man on the phone, he was very nice. Came after hours & had no problem with it. The “dog park” isn’t the best of the KOAs I’ve been to.. but it’s better than nothing. If I was passing through, I’d stay again. & also, the pool wasn’t filled. Not sure why..
RangerThis KOA is a convenient pit stop when crossing Southern New Mexico on Rt. 10. The gravél covered acre has been nicely landscaped around the perimeter. Road noise from the highway is heavy. The very clean shower dressing area was barely big enough to turn around in. All amenities are available including propane, which was served up by a grumpy technician.
It’ll be nice when New Mexico opens its’ State Parks to camping again so touring the State becomes possible.
Dispersed camping near Gila, New Mexico offers access to the Gila National Forest with elevations ranging from 6,000 to 10,000 feet across diverse terrain. The region experiences dramatic temperature shifts, with summer daytime highs reaching 90°F while dropping to 50°F at night in higher elevations. Winter conditions can become severe with snowfall making some forest roads impassable from November through March.
Explore ancient ruins: The Gila Cliff Dwellings National Monument provides access to preserved ancestral Puebloan dwellings. Gila Hot Springs Campground serves as a convenient base for exploring. "Great location for a must see visit to the Cave dwellings. Most camping in the valley is free but this is worth the fee for the hot springs and the owners, who are very welcoming," notes one camper.
Hike the Continental Divide Trail: Parts of this famous trail pass through the Gila area. Sapillo Dispersed Camping Area provides trail access. "Sapillo Creek lies straddling the original branch of the CDT. This is a free, national forest dispersed campsite with a couple pit toilets and very few other amenities, no cell signal either," reports a visitor.
Soak in natural hot springs: The area features several geothermal springs ranging from 98°F to 108°F. "Three wonderful hot pools in the middle of campsites. Very quiet, relaxing and secure," writes a camper about Gila Hot Springs Campground.
Peaceful camping with fewer crowds: Many dispersed sites offer solitude, especially on weekdays. "Popular with the local crowd during peak camping/ATV season, so be mindful that there might be some related noise during the summer; but generally sees little use during winter and the shoulder seasons," notes one Sapillo visitor.
Convenient town access: Silver City RV Park provides proximity to services while camping. "Very small and tight park. It was basically cheap and cheerful. Used the laundry which wasn't exciting but it did the job. You can walk to the old town from here," explains one reviewer.
Well-maintained facilities: Continental Divide Park & Camp offers clean amenities. "Very nice campground with full hookups and inexpensive prices. Quiet with many amenities like laundry and super nice room built to hang out with others," reports a camper.
Access challenges: Many forest roads require careful navigation. "A narrow, rocky road with some low-hanging trees. Our sprinter made it but it was tight," notes a camper about accessing dispersed sites.
Limited connectivity: Cell service varies significantly throughout the region. "Zero cell signal with Verizon," reports one Sapillo visitor, while another notes, "2 bars of service for Verizon" at other locations.
Weather variability: Mountain weather changes rapidly year-round. Cherry Creek Campground visitors note: "The campsites are pretty close together but otherwise it is a great place to getaway from the summer heat. The bathroom was clean and trash cans were maintained. Beautiful drive."
Wildlife considerations: The area hosts diverse wildlife including black bears. Pet-friendly camping near Gila requires keeping food secured and pets leashed. "We tent camped at Cherry Creek campground in late July 2023... There's a short, informal trail at the north end of the campground past the bathroom. The trail goes about 0.25 miles out; so 0.5 mile round trip."
Choose established campgrounds: These provide more amenities for children. "Plenty of space to set up camp with 2 families and a few smaller tents," notes a Sapillo camper. "Lots of trees for shade and hammocks."
Pack for temperature changes: Buckhorn RV Park visitors recommend preparing for significant temperature swings. "We discovered the local Gila Farmers Market on Wednesday mornings just a short drive away. It was filled with amazing people, fresh produce, and handmade goods—definitely worth checking out!"
Plan activities around water sources: Creeks and lakes provide natural play areas. "This camp ground is great. Shady with pines everywhere. Larger and abundant camp grounds. It also have atv trails. All around fun for the family. Its also between both lake roberts and bear damn. Plenty of fishing to enjoy," describes a Sapillo visitor.
Research site access carefully: Many forest roads have tight turns and clearance issues. "Park navigation a bit tight for big rigs. Not impossible just a bit of a nail brighter," warns a Manzanos RV Park visitor.
Expect limited hookups: Full service sites are concentrated near Silver City. "Our site was a pull through but was too tight with other sites to actually pull our 33 ft trailer and truck through. We had to back out," notes a Manzanos camper.
Conserve resources: Most pet-friendly camping options near Gila, New Mexico have limited water access. "Sites are long and spacious, level, gravel, wide with shrubbery and some fencing between, adding lots of privacy. Both easy back in and pull through sites," reports a Rose Valley RV Ranch visitor.
Frequently Asked Questions
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According to TheDyrt.com, the most popular dog-friendly campground near Gila, NM is Bill Evans Lake with a 5-star rating from 1 review.
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